Falling stones the size of softballs began raining down from above. Steve let out a shout of alarm as several fist sized chunks of rock fell harmlessly through the wall of flames and narrowly avoided striking him on the head. He began backpedalling as he headed towards the alcove his companions were crouching in. Then he noticed the amount of falling rocks had tripled. He risked a glance upward and saw that the number of tsak gouging out stone from the ceiling had increased from only three or four to a dozen or so. Steve could indeed see that more of the tsak, which had previously been flying erratically around the cavern, had reattached themselves to the ceiling. It only took a few moments for the tsak to latch back on to the roof and start creating their own rocky projectiles to drop on them. He blasted several of them from the ceiling before finally giving up as more and more of the creatures joined those that were dropping rocks from above. There were now at least four dozen rock biters on the ceiling and half that on the ground. Nearly two dozen tsak were still circling around the perimeter of the spherical cavern. The amount of stone falling from above was now so heavy that their only option was to retreat the way they had entered, from the south. Luckily most of the rock was dropping from the direct center of the cavern, so if they were careful, a quick sprint to the exit wouldn’t be out of the question.
“Why are they trying to drop rocks on us?” Cecil asked from his position by Jonquil.
“They’re rock biters,” Jonquil answered matter-of-factly, as if that alone could answer the question. “That’s what they do. It’s their defense mechanism. Why do you think we try to drive them out?”
Steve cursed as he ran for the exit. These weren’t gravel-sized pieces of rock falling from above where, if struck, it’d leave a welt. No, these were chunks of rock large enough to be fatal if one managed to find its mark.
“We are going to have to work on our communication skills,” Steve told the dwarf as soon as he made it to the safety of the far cavern wall. He hooked an arm through Cecil’s and grabbed Jonquil by his shoulder. “Just get us the hell out of here, okay? No more surprises.”
“At least they weren’t guur,” Jorquil mumbled.
“Not funny,” Steve told him.
“What’s a guur?” Cecil asked.
Steve cast him a worried look.
“You don’t want to know.”
An hour later fortune finally smiled upon them and they ran into a bit of good luck. Literally. They had just rounded a turn in the tunnel they were in when Steve bowled into two individuals dressed in leather outfits so dark they might as well have been black.
Both dwarves were wearing horned helmets, much like Steve would expect a Viking to wear. The right horn, however, ended in a small flat square. Sitting on the square was a short, squat candle that flickered merrily in the dark tunnel. The second dwarf was also carrying an old fashioned lantern that had three sputtering candles burning inside.
Steve and the two dwarves went down in a jumble of arms and legs. They heard the telltale crack of glass as the lantern made contact with the ground. At the same time the lantern broke every candle went out. Steve had been so surprised by the encounter that he had let his flaming hands go out, too.
Darkness quickly enveloped them, rushing in at them from all sides. No one moved. Steve had fallen on one dwarf and he could tell the poor fellow was trying to get to his feet.
“What the ruddy hell happened?” a gruff voice barked out. “Who are you? What are you doing here?”
“Someone’s got their hand on my arse,” another voice said. “If you don’t move it then I’ll make you genuinely sorry you didn’t.”
They heard a loud clang as one metal object struct another.
“Trevl, that’s me, you imbecile. You’re sitting on my hand. If you fart on me I will personally cut off your beard and feed it to you.”
They heard a grunt.
“You wish.”
“Who’s there?” Trevl’s voice asked. “Identify yourself.”
“I will just as soon as I can stand back up,” Steve told the two dwarves. “I’d like to light my hands back up but I won’t do that until I know you’re out of the way.”
“You want to light what back up?”
“We need some light. I can provide it once I know you’re not standing right next to me.”
They heard some scuffling as everyone cautiously regained their feet.
“My lantern’s broke.”
“Forget about your cursed lantern, Bhradain. There are intruders here!”
“Jonquil,” Steve called out, “any time you want to jump in here, please do so, okay?”
“Jonquil? Son of Selwyn?”
“Aye,” Jonquil’s soft voice answered.
“What the ruddy hell are you doing here?”
Two torches sprang to life as Steve reignited his hands. The two dwarves turned to give Steve an appraising look.
“Who are you, human?” Trevl asked.
“I am Steve and this is Cecil. From the sounds of it you already know Jonquil.”
“We know his father,” Bhradain corrected. “Selwyn is head of enforcement in Borahgg. Everyone knows this. You, young Jonquil, I haven’t met before.”
Trevl took off his helmet and held it out to Steve.
“Would you mind?”
Steve held out his right hand and waited for the dwarf to relight his helmet candle. Bhradain followed suit moments later. With their helmets providing light once more the two dwarves looked at the small party.
“What are two humans and a Kla Guur doing in these parts?”
“These parts?” Steve repeated, frowning. He looked up and down the length of the desolate tunnel. As far as he could tell it was just as unremarkable as the other dozen or so tunnels they had seen today. “What parts are these, anyway?”
“You’re in Kla Chanus territory,” Trevl proudly told him.
Steve and Cecil turned back to Jonquil. The two members of the Kla Chanus turned to stare at Jonquil, too.
“He got us lost,” Cecil helpfully supplied, “but not before we found a nest of something called ‘rock biters’.”
Trevl and Bhradain both visibly straightened.
“You found the nest? We’ve been looking for it for days! We need to neutralize it before the nest becomes too big. Where did you find it?”
Steve smiled and held up a lit hand.
“Let’s do a trade. You tell us how to get up to the surface and we’ll tell you everything you need to know about that nest.”
Trevl and Bhradain both grinned and bowed. Steve and Jonquil returned the bow. Cecil, not wanting to appear like an outsider, hastily offered them a small bow, too.
Once the information had been exchanged, and they had successfully located the branch of tunnel which revealed a steep staircase up, Steve finally smiled. It had taken much longer than anticipated but at least they were back on course. He still didn’t have a clue how he was going to convince a dragon to let a dwarf child ride on its back. Could he ask Pryllan? Would that mess something up in his future if he met Pryllan now and asked a favor?
He scowled. No, that wouldn’t work. Pryllan didn’t know him now. Neither did Kahvel. Why would they? They had absolutely no inclination to interact with a human in this time. Why would they start now? What could he offer them in order to agree to Selwyn’s request?
Less than an hour later they had reached the end of the staircase. Steve’s calves were burning. He was wheezing, short of breath, and was sure his heartbeat could be heard by both Cecil and Jonquil. A quick look at Cecil confirmed that he was in no better shape than he was. Only Jonquil appeared unaffected by the long climb up the stairs.
Oh, how he missed Sarah.
Jonquil approached a heavy iron bar that was embedded through parts of the door. He made a few adjustments and then pushed forward. Sunlight flooded through the cracks and blinded all three of them. Blinking profusely they stumbled out into a partial clearing in the middle of a forest.
“Where ar
e we?” Steve asked. He had no idea which way the dragon valley was, let alone which way was north.
Jonquil pointed west.
“The lake is through there, about half a league away.” The dwarf kept his finger pointed to the left. “We should go toward the valley. You will have a better chance of finding a dragon there.”
“Have you any ideas how we should proceed?” Cecil asked.
“I’ve been thinking about it,” Steve admitted. “The only thing I can come up with is to approach Pryllan. I’m just worried what her reaction would be seeing we haven’t officially met yet. That won’t happen for quite a while.”
“Afraid you’ll end up changing your timeline?” Cecil quietly asked. Jonquil had cocked his head and was listening intently, even though he tried to hide it.
“Wouldn’t you be? I’m treading on thin ice here. The slightest screwup here could have major ramifications for Sarah and I. I have to be careful.”
“Is she the only chance we have?”
Steve nodded. “That’s what I’m afraid of. I think she is.”
“Then that’s your answer. If you don’t ask her then we will most certainly fail.”
They emerged from the thick of the forest onto the eastern edge of Lake Raehon valley. They could see the lake’s eastern shore off to the west while the wide open grassland that was the valley stretched off to the south. Jonquil made a move to brush by him and take the lead when Steve pulled him back inside the forest.
“Just a moment there, pal,” Steve warned. “We need a game plan before we go out there. The last time didn’t end well for us.”
“What do you want to do?” the young dwarf inquired.
“I’m going to try contacting the dragon that I know. If things don’t go well then we can at least get back to that door fairly quickly. You know how to get back through that door we came out of, right? I don’t need you fumbling with that huge stump when there could be an irate dragon on our tail.”
Jonquil nodded.
“Good.” Steve took a breath. “Here goes.”
Pryllan? Are you there? Can you hear me?
Silence.
Pryllan? Are you there?
No additional voices sounded in his head.
Pryllan, I realize you don’t know me but believe it or not you and I are going to become good friends in the future.
“Anything?” Cecil asked, after ten minutes of silence had passed.
“Nothing,” Steve glumly told him. “I haven’t heard so much as a peep from her. There’s nothing else we can do except to keep trying.”
An hour later they were back at the stump door the Kla Guur had hollowed out for one of their entrances. Cecil was sitting on the ground while Jonquil had climbed up onto the door and was sitting on the stump, swinging his legs like he was a schoolboy. Steve had paced back and forth in front of the stump so many times that he had created a path through the thick grass in the tiny clearing. Cecil cleared his throat.
“Could we go look for her? Does she live nearby?”
Steve looked down at him.
“Her nest is miles away from here,” he told him. “It would take us weeks to not only find the nest but to walk there as well. We don’t have that kind of time.”
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHERE OUR NEST IS, HUMAN?
Steve’s head jerked up and he froze in place. Sensing something amiss Jonquil jumped down from the stump and pulled out his axe.
“What is it?” the dwarf asked. “What has happened?”
Steve held up a finger.
“Just a moment. I think Kahvel just contacted me.”
HOW DO YOU KNOW MY NAME? I HAVE NEVER MET YOU BEFORE. HOW DO YOU EVEN KNOW THAT WYVERIANS CAN COMMUNICATE TELEPATHICALLY?
I’ll make this as short and sweet as I can. Here are my answers: First, I know where your nest is because I’ve been there before. A number of times, if you can believe that. Second as for knowing your name, I’ve known it for a number of years now. And finally, I know dragons can communicate telepathically because I’ve spoken with dragons before.
IMPOSSIBLE. YOU SAY I TOLD YOU MY NAME? UNLIKELY. I KNOW NO HUMANS. EVEN IF I DID I CERTAINLY WOULD NOT HAVE DISCLOSED THE LOCATION OF MY NEST.
Yeah, this is where it gets confusing. We won’t meet for quite some time.
Kahvel’s voice was silent as the gold dragon no doubt tried to process that cryptic piece of information.
YOU’RE ALLEGING WE ARE ACQUAINTANCES BUT WE HAVE NOT YET MET? THIS MAKES NO SENSE UNLESS…
That’s right, Kahvel. I’m not from this time.
YOU ARE A TRAVELER FROM ANOTHER TIME?
An unwilling one, yes.
I FIND YOUR CLAIM DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE.
I don’t blame you, not in the slightest.
HOW DO YOU KNOW PRYLLAN? I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CONTACT HER. I HAVE BEEN BLOCKING YOUR ATTEMPTS.
I was wondering why she wasn’t answering. I figured she’d at least demand to know who I am.
HENCE THE NATURE OF THIS CONVERSATION. HOW DO YOU KNOW PRYLLAN, MAY I ASK?
Through you. She saved my life when I first met her.
YOU ARE REFERRING TO THE FUTURE?
Yes.
I SENSE NO MALICE OR DECEPTION IN YOUR THOUGHTS.
Nor will you ever. Pryllan is one of my closest friends.
MY MATE? CLOSE FRIENDS WITH A HUMAN?
I can’t explain it. I don’t know why she chose me only that I am incredibly fortunate that she did.
WHAT DO YOU WANT PRYLLAN FOR? IF YOU TWO HAVE NEVER MET THEN WHY CONTACT HER NOW?
I’m in a mess here, Kahvel. There are certain things I need to do in order to get back to my own time.
ELUCIDATE.
For starters, I came through what I’m told is an interdimensional portal. It took me back in time over a hundred years. The only chance I have to get back is to acquire an athe crystal, used to power portals, from the dwarves so that the portal on my world can be activated.
WHY AREN’T YOU DOWN BELOW? THAT’S WHERE YOU WILL FIND THE DWARVES.
I know that. I just came from there. There’s something they want before they’ll give me what I want. Trust me, it’s a royal pain in the butt.
WHAT IS IT THEY REQUIRE?
That is what I need to talk to Pryllan about. Only she can help me.
WHY SHOULD I HELP YOU? WHY SHOULD I TRUST MY MATE WITH A HUMAN?
Because I’m the one human the two of you trust more than anyone else in the kingdom.
SO YOU SAY.
You actually did, Kahvel. You told me that last year.
I DO NOT WISH TO BECOME INVOLVED WITH WHATEVER DILEMMA YOU ARE FACING. I DO BELIEVE YOU ARE TELLING THE TRUTH. HOWEVER, I FEEL IT WOULD BE BEST IF YOU WERE TO LEAVE US OUT OF WHATEVER SCHEME YOU ARE PLANNING.
I have no other wyverian friends to appeal to. If you don’t help us then Sarah and I will never make it home.
SARAH IS YOUR MATE?
Yes.
There was several seconds of silence before he heard Kahvel’s voice again.
WOULD RINBOK INTHERER APPROVE OF WHAT YOU’RE TRYING TO DO?
Steve sighed.
No. Definitely not.
YOU SPEAK THE TRUTH. I CAN SENSE YOU ARE RELUCTANT TO TELL ME THE NATURE OF YOUR REQUEST, HENCE THE QUESTION OF MY LORD’S APPROVAL. IN SPITE OF ALL THAT YOU WERE STILL HONEST WITH ME.
I told you once, years from now, that I wouldn’t ever lie to you. To you, Pryllan, or Pra…
Steve trailed off as he realized he almost revealed the existence of their future offspring. Had Kahvel caught his slip?
INDEED I HAVE. FEAR NOT. I WILL NOT INQUIRE ANY FUTHER. TO LEARN TOO MUCH ABOUT ONE’S OWN FUTURE CAN BE DETRIMENTAL. BESIDES, YOU HAVE JUST PROVEN TO ME YOU ARE WHO YOU SAY ARE.
Uh, thanks. I think.
WILL YOU GUARANTEE PRYLLAN WILL NOT BE PUT IN TYPE OF DANGER?
Absolutely. I would never hurt her.
YOU ARE A STRANGE HUMAN.
My wife tells me that all the time.
Steve felt Kahvel snort, whether from irritation or amusement he couldn’t tell.
VERY WELL. I WILL RELEASE MY BLOCK. YOU MAY CONTACT HER. BE ADVISED, HUMAN. I WILL KNOW IF YOU CAUSE HER DURESS.
I understand.
Kahvel’s voice fell silent. Was he gone?
Steve took a deep breath.
“Are they going to do it?” Cecil interrupted, breaking his concentration.
Surprised, Steve released the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
“I’m not there yet. I just managed to convince Pryllan’s mate that our intentions are pure and we mean her no harm. He has been blocking me from contacting her and has now told me that he will step aside, so to speak, and let me talk to her.”
“Good luck,” Jonquil told him. “I hope you can convince her. For Aislinn’s sake.”
“Me, too,” Steve agreed. He took another breath.
Pryllan, are you there?
Several seconds passed before he tried again.
Pryllan? I need to talk to you.
Who are you?
The new voice appeared so suddenly in his mind that he gasped in shock. Gone was the friendly banter. The soothing touch of her mind that he was familiar with was also absent. He had to remember that for all intents and purposes, this dragon was a stranger and he had to be careful. Kahvel was more than likely tuned in to Pryllan’s emotions and would cut him off if he alarmed her too much.
Tread carefully, Steve reminded himself.
Tread carefully? Is this a prank? Are you Kahvel’s friend?
Pryllan, I know this is going to sound strange, but you don’t know me. Yet. My name is Steve. You and I are going to become friends. Good friends. I’m not a dragon but a human. I trust you with my life, which you have saved quite a few times I might add. I have even had the privilege and honor of saving yours once or twice.
I find that hard to believe.
That’s what Kahvel said.
You spoke with Kahvel?
Yes. He didn’t tell you he talked to me? It’s okay if he didn’t. He was just trying to protect you, which is what I would have done with my own wife.
You actually spoke with my mate, identified yourself as a human, and he agreed to let you speak with me?
A Portal for Your Thoughts Page 23
